I'ftHi  itirss!!; 


FHE  GOOD  SIDE  OF 
CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 


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COPYRIGHT,    I  916 
Y   EDWARD    J.    CLODE 


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Good  Side  of  Christian  Science 


N  taking  up  this  subject, 
a  subject  that  is  attracting 
world-wide  attention  at  the 
present  time,  I  wish  to  say- 
that  I  have  the  greatest  re- 
gard and  the  highest  admiration  for  the 
Christian  Science  movement  as  a  move- 
ment, and  for  the  principles  upon  which 
the  movement  is  based;  and  the  principal 
cause  of  my  regard  and  admiration  is  this, 
that  I  admire  everybody  and  everything 
that  has  a  great  purpose  in  view,  and  that 
works  for  it  with  all  the  power  that  life 
can  give. 

This  is  something  that  we  all  feel  and, 
therefore,  whenever  we  meet  an  individual 
with  a  lofty  ideal,  someone  who  knows 
what  he  wants,  and  works  for  it  and  lives 

[I] 


^6t  CDOon  ^it}t  ot  C6ti0tian  Science 

for  it  under  all  sorts  of  circumstances, 
we  cannot  help  admiring  that  individual. 
We  may  not  always  agree  with  him  in 
every  respect;  and  under  certain  circum- 
stances it  may  be  unwise  to  try  to  agree 
with  him;  still,  we  are  bound  to  admire 
him  to  the  very  highest  degree,  even 
though  he  may  not  take  as  broad  a  view 
of  some  things  as  we  would  like. 

It  is  the  same  with  institutions  and 
movements.  If  they  have  a  great  object, 
a  great  purpose,  and  a  lofty  goal,  and 
not  only  live  for  their  convictions,  but 
actually  make  good  in  practical  life,  we 
are  bound  to  admire  them;  especially 
where  we  realize  that  they  are  inspired 
with  the  highest  form  of  sincerity. 

In  all  departments  of  life  it  is  the  weak- 
lings that  we  sometimes  lose  patience  with, 
although  we  ought  to  be  patient  with 
everybody,  knowing  that  it  is  difficult  to 
find  anyone  who  is  not  doing  his  best 
under  the   circumstances;    still,  where  we 

[2] 


^fie  (I5o0ti  ^iDe  ot  CSri^tian  Science 

find  individuals  or  institutions  that  have  no 
purpose  in  view  and  that  are  vacillating 
and  uncertain  in  connection  with  every- 
thing that  has  real  value  in  life,  we  can- 
not bestow  upon  them  any  great  degree 
of  admiration;  in  fact,  we  are  liable  to 
think  of  them  as  obstacles  to  the  welfare 
of  the  world.  This  they  may  be  in  a 
sense;  nevertheless,  they  need  our  sym- 
pathy instead  of  our  criticism;  but  when 
we  meet  people  who  live  for  something  — ■ 
or  institutions  that  work  for  something 
definite  —  something  of  extraordinary  im- 
portance to  human  welfare,  and  actually 
make  good  in  their  purpose,  we  invariably 
give  them  our  admiration;  and  in  this  age 
this  spirit  of  admiration  for  the  successful, 
for  the  true,  for  the  sincere  and  the  gen- 
uine is  growing  rapidly;  and  there  is  a 
psychological  reason  for  this  fact  —  some- 
thing that  we  shall  find  it  important  to 
respect  and  admire  if  we  have  greater 
success  or  higher  attainment  in  view. 

[3] 


^Se  (I5ooH  feitie  ot  C{)ri0tian  fecience 

In  this  connection  we  should  remember 
that  we  never  find  successful  people  among 
those  who  are  constantly  criticising  or 
antagonizing,  or  who  live  in  the  spirit  of 
destruction.  The  reason  is,  those  people 
are  not  living  or  working  in  that  vital  cur- 
rent of  life  that  is  moving  toward  greater 
things.  They  are  at  war  with  themselves 
because  at  war  with  others;  and  no  mind 
that  is  living  in  continual  warfare  can  ever 
develop  or  produce  anything  of  great  worth 
in  the  world.  We  can.not  afford,  there- 
fore, to  live  in  the  critical  spirit  under 
any  circumstances;  but  when  we  enter 
the  opposite  spirit,  that  is,  when  we  begin 
to  admire  and  respect  both  individuals  and 
institutions  that  are  moving  forward,  that 
are  successful,  that  are  working  for  great 
things  —  it  is  then  that  we  get  into  the 
great  constructive  current  of  life  and  begin 
to  move  with  that  current  into  the  larger, 
the  higher,  the  finer  and  the  richer  in  all 
the  domains  of  existence. 
[4] 


mt  (I5Doti  feitie  ot  Ci)ti0tian  fecfence 


The  best  advice  that  we  could  give  to 
any  young  man  or  woman  would  be  this: 
"Look  at  those  who  have  succeeded 
greatly  and  achieved  largely;  then  find 
their  secret  and  apply  it  in  your  own  life, 
or  improve  upon  it  if  you  can;  but  pay 
no  attention  to  the  weakness  of  those  who 
have  failed  or  lost,  because  it  is  the  ways 
of  success  and  not  the  ways  of  failure 
that  should  be  imitated  or  selected  as 
ideals." 

If  all  young  men  would  take  this  ad- 
vice they  would  place  their  minds  in  a 
strong,  constructive  current;  and  this  cur- 
rent would  gradually  gain  force  and  power 
so  that  in  the  course  of  time  their  mental 
capacity  would  be  increased  to  a  very 
large  degree.  In  consequence,  they  would 
not  only  enter  the  pathway  that  invariably 
leads  to  success,  but  they  would  constantly 
increase  all  those  elements  of  mind  and 
talent  that  make  for  still  greater  success. 
The  spirit  of  the  age   is  entering  more 

Cs] 


^it  (Booti  Side  ot  CSrigftian  Science 

and  more  into  the  understanding  of  this 
idea;  that  is,  that  the  human  mind,  to 
be  true  to  itself,  must  follow  constructive 
lines  invariably;  and  therefore  we  are 
learning  to  apply  this  idea  more  and 
more,  not  only  to  individuals,  but  to  in- 
stitutions and  world  movements,  includ- 
ing religious  movements,  and  all  systems 
of  thought  in  this  same  manner.  We  are 
beginning  to  overlook  as  far  as  possible 
their  weak  points  and  are  beginning  to 
give  more  and  more  credit  to  the  good 
and  the  helpful  elements  that  they  all  do 
surely  contain.  We  know  that  all  indi- 
viduals and  all  institutions  have  weak 
points,  but  our  purpose  must  be  to  search 
for  their  strong  points,  and  then  apply 
those  strong  points  to  ourselves,  and  im- 
prove upon  them  as  far  as  we  possibly  can. 
This  is  the  spirit  of  the  present  age; 
and  it  is  in  this  spirit  that  we  will  consider 
the  Christian  Science  movement  with  a 
view  of  finding  the  reason  why  that  move- 

[6] 


^6e  Cl5ooti  feitie  ot  Cfjtig^tian  Science 

ment  has  been  so  very  successful  along 
certain  lines  of  action,  and  why  it  has 
accomplished  so  much  regardless  of  ob- 
stacles and  persecutions. 

There  is  a  strong  tendency  among  a 
large  number  of  people  to  criticise  new 
religious  institutions,  because  they  say  we 
have  too  many  religions  already.  Their 
idea  is  that  we  should  not  formulate  any 
new  religious  system,  but  rather  aim  to 
unite  all  religious  systems  into  one;  but 
here  we  should  remember  that  the  ideal  of 
religious  union,  that  is,  combining  all  the 
churches  into  one  institution,  is  a  dream 
that  will  not  be  realized  at  present,  nor 
would  we  want  it  to  be  realized  for  many 
a  long  day. 

There  are  in  the  world  something  like 
two  hundred  different  types  of  mentality 
in  the  present  age,  and  each  type  needs  a 
different  form  of  worship  and  belief;  that 
is,  each  type  needs  a  method  of  its  own 
for  approaching  the  Absolute,  or  reaching 

[7] 


^it  (Booti  feide  ot  Cfitl^tian  &timtt 

up  toward  the  higher  and  finer  Hfe;  and 
therefore  we  need  all  these  different  sys- 
tems so  that  these  many  types  of  mind 
may  have  modes  of  aspiration  and  worship 
that  will  suit  their  present  state  of  devel- 
opment. In  another  century  there  may 
not  be  so  many  types  of  mind,  because 
the  farther  the  human  race  develops  the 
closer  we  all  come  together  in  understand- 
ing and  consciousness;  but  so  long  as  all 
these  many  types  do  exist  we  need  corre- 
sponding systems  of  belief,  of  worship,  of 
study,   of  living. 

We  must  not  find  fault,  therefore,  with 
the  fact  that  there  are  so  many  religions 
in  the  world.  They  are  all  necessary  just 
now.  If  we  were  to  find  fault  at  all  it 
would  be  this,  that  most  of  those  reli- 
gions do  not,  to  use  an  ordinary  term, 
"make  good"  in  their  own  field.  In  brief, 
they  are  not  living  up  to  their  highest 
light,  or  trying  to  make  the  best  use  of  the 
gifts  and  possibilities  in  their  possession. 

C8] 


use  (Kooti  fe)itie  ot  CljrisJtian  Science 

When  we  learn  to  take  a  broad  and 
reasonable  view  of  all  things,  we  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  no  system  of  thought 
or  no  organization  should  disappear  so 
long  as  it  has  a  mission,  or  so  long  as 
there  is  a  field  wherein  it  can  find  useful 
work;  but  we  do  demand  that  every 
church,  every  system  of  thought,  every 
philosophy,  every  science,  every  form  of 
worship  make  good  in  the  field  where  it 
may  find  its  mission  at  the  present  time. 
We  cannot  commend  any  institution  that 
is  only  half  alive,  or  that  is  wasting  the 
larger  part  of  its  opportunity.  Such  in- 
stitutions have  no  right  to  exist;  but  an 
institution  that  is  true  to  its  purpose,  true 
to  its  mission,  and  that  is  turning  on  the 
full  current,  so  to  speak,  of  all  its  power, 
to  the  end  that  it  may  render  the  great- 
est service  possible  to  those  with  whom 
it  may  be  concerned  —  such  an  institu- 
tion is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  time 
being  and  cannot  fail  to  win  the  highest 

[9] 


^!jc  (BooD  ^itie  ot  Cfiti^tian  fecimce 

respect  of  all  men  and  women  who  have 
the  greatest  welfare  of  the  human  race 
at  heart. 

The  fact  is,  however,  that  there  are 
very  few  systems  of  thought,  or  religious 
institutions  of  the  present  day,  that  are 
really  making  good  in  their  own  field. 
Many  of  them  are  doing  fairly  well,  but 
there  are  only  a  few  that  are  really  mak- 
ing full  and  eff'ective  application  of  the 
principles  upon  which  they  stand. 

One  of  these  exceptional  few  is  the 
Christian  Science  Church.  As  an  insti- 
tution this  church  is  certainly  making 
full  and  effective  application  of  its  own 
principles;  and  therefore  we  cannot  hesi- 
tate to  express  our  greatest  admiration 
and  our  highest  regard  once  more.  It  is 
indeed  more  than  can  be  said  of  most 
of  the  other  religious  institutions  in  the 
world  today;  and  the  fact  that  the  Chris- 
tian Science  Church  is  making  full  and 
effective    application    of    its    principles    is 

do] 


%fit  (Boon  &iDe  ot  €W0iim  fecimce 


one  reason  why  it  is  so  successful;  but 
there  are  many  other  reasons,  and  we 
wish  to  consider  all  these  reasons  care- 
fully so  that  we  may  apply  them  in  our 
own  individual  life,  in  our  business,  in 
our  education,  or  in  any  field  of  religious 
study  that  we  may  undertake  now  or  in 
the   future. 

However,  before  we  proceed  to  examine 
the  inner  secret,  so  to  speak,  of  the  Chris- 
tian   Science    movement,    we    should     re- 
member   that    this    movement    is    not    for 
everybody;    but  the  same  is  true  of  trig- 
onometry, of  agriculture,  of  chemistry,  of 
domestic  science.    They  are  not  for  every- 
body.    They  are  for  those  who  need  them. 
The  same  is  true  of  a  great  many  things, 
and,  in  fact,  of  nearly  all  things.     Every 
particular  system  or  factor  may  fill  a  spe- 
cial place  and  supply  the  need  of  a  certain 
type  of  mind;    and  so  long  as  that  par- 
ticular   movement,    institution    or    factor 
does  supply  the  need  of  a  certain  type  of 

[ii] 


^6e  C^ooli  Side  ot  CSri^tian  Science 

mind,  we  should  be  glad  that  it  is  here, 
and  not  under  any  circumstances  find 
fault. 

The  Christian  Science  movement  occu- 
pies a  most  important  mission.  It  is 
doing  a  marvelous  work  for  a  certain  type 
of  mind;  but  it  is  suited  only  to  that  cer- 
tain type,  and  therefore  must  not  be 
looked  upon  as  the  last  word  in  religion, 
in  science  or  in  truth.  It  has,  like  all 
other  institutions,  arisen  for  the  purpose 
of  supplying  a  certain  need  for  the  time 
being;  but  no  institution  in  itself  is  per- 
manent. All  institutions  are  destined  to 
give  place  to  other  institutions  that  will 
arise  to  supply  the  new  needs  of  ad- 
vancing humanity;  but  for  the  present 
age,  and  possibly  for  many  centuries, 
the  Christian  Science  movement  will  con- 
tinue as  a  wonderful  power  for  good  in 
the  lives  of  those  thousands  and  thousands 
who  may  need  that  service  that  Christian 
Science  alone  can  render. 

[12] 


HEN  we  proceed  to  ex- 
amine the  Christian  Sci- 
ence movement  we  should 
remember  at  the  outset 
that  whenever  we  consider 
a  plant,  or  anything  that  has  developed, 
we  must  not  only  consider  the  plant 
itself,  but  also  the  seed,  and  the  soil, 
and  the  tiller  of  the  soil.  In  consider- 
ing this  movement,  therefore,  we  must 
consider,  not  simply  the  movement  alone, 
but  where  and  how  it  came  into  being; 
why  it  grew;  and  we  should  also  consider 
the  psychological  side,  because  it  is  the 
psychological  side  that  holds  the  secret 
everywhere. 

When  we  turn  our  attention  to  the 
middle  of  the  past  century  we  find  that 
the  human  mind  was  at  that  time  in 
a  peculiar  condition,  the  cause  of  which 
may  be  found  by  going  back  to  the  early 

[13] 


^Se  (Booti  &itie  ot  CSttiGitian  ^timtt 

part  of  that  century.  In  examining  the 
mode  of  thought  as  it  existed  in  the  early 
part  of  the  past  century  we  find  that  a 
number  of  hberal  movements  were  begin- 
ning to  take  shape  and  form,  and  that 
considerable  unrest  among  a  great  many 
people  was  becoming  evident  where  pre- 
viously perfect  satisfaction  obtained  with 
things  as  they  were. 

There  was  considerable  preaching  against 
the  old  order;  and  a  great  many  minds, 
some  of  them  spiritual  and  mental  giants, 
arose  in  that  day  to  champion  mental 
liberty,  arousing  thereby  a  strong  senti- 
ment in  favor  of  freedom  from  the  creeds 
of  the  day  and  the  awful  dogmas  that 
the  race  had  inherited  from  the  past. 
This  commotion  in  the  world  of  thought 
in  this  country  continued  until  about  the 
middle  of  the  century,  when  some  strange 
things  happened  —  the  appearance  of  vari- 
ous forms  of  mystical  phenomena  which 
literally  shook  the  earth. 

[14] 


Wtit  (Booti  feitie  ot  CStijs^tian  Science 

The  appearance  of  these  phenomena, 
largely  physical  in  their  nature,  aroused 
more  curiosity  among  those  who  had  be- 
come dissatisfied  with  the  old  order;  and 
people  began  to  think  and  wonder  more 
and  more  about  the  great  question,  "What 
is  truth?"  Thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands became  interested  in  the  various 
psychical  manifestations  that  appeared  at 
the  time,  and  that  continued  to  mystify  the 
human  mind  more  and  more  up  until 
the  end  of  the  century;  and  the  question 
was  everywhere  if  these  phenomena  did 
contain  real  truth,  because  if  they  did  it 
was  evident  that  the  old  order  was  com- 
posed of  a  huge  bundle  of  mistakes.  No 
definite  conclusions,  however,  were  for- 
mulated at  the  time;  but  all  this  study 
and  research  and  investigation  certainly 
did  prepare  the  minds  of  thousands  of 
people  for  something  else,  something  that 
would  satisfy  where  the  old  order  had 
largely  failed. 

[15] 


%lit  CBooti  &itie  ot  CSrisftian  Science 

The  various  liberal  movements  that 
were  active  at  the  time  satisfied  a  few 
people,  but  those  movements  were  more 
intellectual  than  otherwise,  and  therefore 
were  limited  in  their  power  to  serve  the 
needs  of  that  vast  host  that  was  coming 
out  from  the  old  system  of  belief.  The 
mystical  movement  that  arose  at  the  time 
with  its  strange  phenomena  created  much 
curiosity  and  much  thought,  but  somehow 
did  not  satisfy  the  yearnings  of  the  soul. 
This  movement  did  not  bring  a  science, 
or  a  philosophy,  or  a  religion  that  really 
touched  the  inner  or  higher  side  of  exist- 
ence; and  in  consequence  the  demand  for 
something  else  continued. 

If  we  should  examine  closely  the  state 
of  mind  of  the  civilized  world  at  that 
period,  we  would  meet  with  a  most  inter- 
esting study,  and  we  would  realize  that 
that  period  did  present  the  psychological 
moment  for  a  religion,  or  a  higher  science, 
that  could  meet  the  requirements  of  that 

[i6] 


^6e  (Koon  feitie  ot  CJri^tian  Science 


vast   number  who   had    freed    themselves 
from   the   old,   but   who    had    not    found 
anything  to  take  its  place.     We  shall  not 
take  time,  however,  to  analyze  the  mind 
of  that  period,  nor  will  this  be  necessary, 
because  we  are  all  familiar  with  conditions 
as  they  existed  at  that  time.    We  all  have 
read  much  about  the  various  movements 
and   conditions   that   swayed   the   thought 
of  the  rising  humanity  fifty  or  sixty  years 
ago,  and,  therefore,  we  realize  what  excel- 
lent soil  the  mentality  of  that  period  had 
become  for  the  reception  of  the  right  seed. 
In  fact,  it  was  the  very  best  and  the  very 
richest  soil  that  could  be  desired  for  some- 
thing  that    contained    a   vital    message  — 
something  that  not  only  aimed  to  possess 
the  truth,  but  that  could  prove  its  claims 
with  thorough  satisfaction  to  all  who  were 
in  need  of  that  particular  message,  what- 
ever it  was  to  be. 

It  was  in  that  soil  that  the  seed  of  Chris- 
tian Science  was  placed;    and  we  under- 

[17] 


%it  dBocti  &itie  of  CSti^tian  Science 

stand  fully  that  coming  as  it  did  at  that 
time  it  found  everything  that  could  be 
desired  for  the  development  of  a  religious 
system  of  tremendous  power  and  extra- 
ordinary proportions. 

Where  or  how  Mary  Baker  Eddy  re- 
ceived her  first  insight  into  her  system  of 
thought  does  not  matter.  It  is  sufficient 
to  know  that  she  did  discover  a  principle 
that  has  served  as  a  solid  foundation  for 
the  work  of  Christian  Science,  and  will 
continue  to  serve  in  that  manner  so  long 
as  that  particular  movement  is  needed  for 
the  progress  of  the  race.  Whether  she 
was  inspired  or  whether  she  was  simply 
endowed  with  an  extraordinary  percep- 
tion of  the  situation  so  that  she  could 
understand  both  the  requirements  of  the 
hour  and  the  mode  of  supplying  those  re- 
quirements—  this  does  not  matter  in  the 
least,  although  we  must  admit  that  no 
one  could  have  done  what  she  did  without 
being   in   very   close   contact   with   mental 

[i8] 


^6e  CKooti  &iDe  ot  Cfirig^tian  Science 

and  spiritual  light  of  a  very  extraordinary 
nature. 

She  took  advantage  of  the  situation  in 
a  manner  that  bespeaks  the  possession  of 
remarkable  genius  along  the  line  of  her 
thought  and  undertakings;  and  the  first 
stroke  of  genius  that  we  find  in  her  mode 
of  action  was  in  selecting  the  name  that 
she  did  for  her  religion.  There  is  indeed 
magic  in  that  name.  She  combined  the 
two  most  powerful  words  in  the  civilized 
world  at  the  time,  and  we  know  these  two 
words  still  are  the  most  powerful  known 
to  the  western  half  of  the  hemisphere. 
She  did  more  than  that.  She  gave  a  new 
and  interior  meaning,  both  to  the  word 
'* Christian''  and  to  the  word  "Science," 
thus  doubling  the  spiritual  power  of  the 
name  she  had  chosen. 

The  word  "Christianity"  had  been  a 
power  for  nearly  twenty  centuries.  It 
was  a  term  with  which  all  minds  were 
familiar.      It    stood    for    something    high, 

[19] 


^Se  (Kood  Side  ot  Cfiti^tian  &citnce 

something  wonderful,  something  that  in- 
corporated all  the  ideals,  all  the  dreams 
and  all  the  most  sacred  yearnings  of  the 
soul. 

The  term  ''Science"  had  for  some  time 
occupied  a  similar  position,  although  in  a 
different  field.  The  scientific  method  had 
become  very  popular,  especially  in  the 
practical  world  and  in  the  educational 
world;  and  this  method  stood  for  truth 
positively  demonstrated.  All  awakened 
minds,  therefore,  realized  that  whatever 
was  scientific  was  true,  and  that  science 
was  in  its  own  field  a  synonym  for  truth 
and  demonstration.  Accordingly,  it  was 
a  word  of  remarkable  power. 

The  founder  of  the  Christian  Science 
movement  took  those  two  terms,  both  of 
them  the  most  powerful  in  their  own 
realms,  and  combined  them  as  the  name 
of  a  new  religion,  a  new  church,  a  new 
path  to  emancipation;  and  we  admit  that 
no  one  but  an  extraordinary  mind  could 

[20] 


^6e  (5oo\i  &iDe  ot  CStiis^ttan  fecimce 

have  conceived  of  such  an  idea,  or  such 
a  plan.  Genius  was  certainly  present  in 
that  mind  to  a  remarkable  degree,  and  we 
may  also  say  that  inspiration  was  present 
to  a  still  greater  degree. 

In  analyzing  the  meaning  of  the  word 
"Christianity/'  the  founder  of  this  new 
religion  manifested  more  evidence  of 
genius  and  inspiration.  The  term  "Chris- 
tianity" had  stood  for  something  remark- 
able, but  it  had  been  associated  with  dark 
clouds,  and  had  also  been  connected  con- 
tinually with  sin,  sickness,  trouble,  and 
the  idea  that  this  world  is  a  vale  of  tears. 
The  old  Christian  doctrine  declared  that  it 
was  necessary  to  bear  these  things  while 
we  remained  upon  earth,  and  that  there 
was  no  way  in  which  we  might  dispel  the 
clouds.  The  Christian  Science  idea,  how- 
ever, took  the  opposite  view,  and  literally 
blew  the  clouds  away.  This  new  religion 
declared  that  Christianity  stood  for  free- 
dom here  and  now;    that  salvation  is  not 

[21] 


%fit  (Booh  &ide  ot  CSti^tian  fecimce 

only  for  the  future,  but  also  for  the  pres- 
ent; and  that  salvation  includes  salvation 
from  sickness,  trouble,  adversity,  poverty 
and  all  the  ills  of  life,  here  and  now,  upon 
this  planet,   in  this  sphere  of  existence. 

This  new  interpretation  brought  relief 
to  thousands  and  thousands,  and  it  proved 
its  doctrines  by  healing  the  sick,  and  eman- 
cipating people  everywhere  from  all  sorts 
of  trouble,  poverty,  wrong,  adversity,  and 
in  brief,  all  those  conditions  that  had  been 
looked  upon  as  inevitable  by  the  old 
order.  This  new  religion  went  further  and 
proved  its  belief  by  the  Bible,  illustrating 
the  great  fact,  on  every  hand,  that  the 
Christ  power  can  and  should  emancipate 
mankind  here  and  now. 

This  was  the  message,  and  it  was  indeed 
a  great  and  vital  message,  although  others 
had  given  the  same  message  to  a  certain 
extent  for  some  years  previously,  but  they 
had  not  presented  that  message  in  the 
same  forceful  manner,  or  under  the  same 

[22] 


^f\t  C^Doti  &iDe  ot  C6ri0tian  Science 

favorable  conditions;  and  we  know  it 
makes  all  the  difference  in  the  world  how 
truth  is  presented.  A  thousand  men  and 
women  may  proclaim  certain  new  ideas 
to  the  world  and  still  the  world  may  not 
pay  much  attention;  but  when  a  genius 
appears  on  the  scene,  presenting  those 
same  ideas  under  the  proper  conditions 
and  in  the  proper  manner,  the  attention 
of  the  entire  world  is  aroused,  and  we  all 
understand  the  reason  why.  Two  minds 
may  present  the  same  idea;  with  the 
one  that  idea  may  fall  flat  and  produce  no 
impression  whatever,  but  with  the  other 
that  idea  may  actually  create  a  sensation. 
The  result  therefore  from  the  coming  of 
anything  new,  whether  it  be  ordinary  or 
extraordinary,  will  depend  entirely  upon 
how  it  is  presented. 

The  founder  of  the  Christian  Science 
movement  did  not  necessarily  present 
something  that  no  one  had  ever  dreamed 
of   before,    but    she    did    present    it    in    a 

[23] 


^Ijt  (Booti  feitie  ot  C5ri0tian  fecience 

manner  that  was  strikingly  new,  and  under 
combinations  and  conditions  that  were 
destined  to  produce  a  sensation.  In  other 
words,  she  laid  hold  upon  a  marvelous 
idea  and  gave  it  to  the  world  in  such  a 
way  that  the  world  could  receive  it  and 
understand.  It  was  a  great  stroke  of 
genius;  or  we  might  say  it  was  the  work 
of  exceptional  inspiration.  Which  of  the 
two  it  happened  to  be  does  not  matter. 
It  is  results  that  we  all  seek,  and  we  are 
not  directly  concerned  with  the  definition, 
or  the  methods,  or  the  plan. 

In  connection  with  the  word  '*  Science," 
the  founder  of  this  movement  presented 
evidence  of  more  genius.  We  know  that 
that  word  represented  facts,  facts  that 
could  be  demonstrated;  but  Mary  Baker 
Eddy  gave  a  new  meaning  to  that  word, 
and  made  it  stand  not  simply  for  demon- 
stration of  physical  facts,  but  also  for  the 
demonstration  of  truth  in  mind  and  spirit 
as   well.      She   also   made   it   stand    for   a 

C24] 


%it  (Boot!  feitie  0t  CSti^tian  &cimce 


certain  mode  of  living,  a  mode  that  we 
have  come  to  call  constructive  living,  sci- 
entific living,  or  living  and  thinking  ac- 
cording to  science  —  science  interpreted  as 
a  spiritual  manifestation  of  truth  as  well 
as  a  manifestation  of  truth  on  all  other 
planes.  To  be  scientific,  therefore,  in  this 
new  science  would  be  to  establish  all  liv- 
ing and  all  thinking  upon  the  principle  of 
Divine  Truth,  and  formulate  all  thought, 
all  states  of  mind  and  all  modes  of  living 
in  perfect  harmony  with  the  principle  of 
truth  itself. 

The  idea  is  that  Divine  Truth  contains 
within  itself  the  principle  of  freedom, 
health,  wholesomeness,  power,  emancipa- 
tion; and  therefore,  in  order  to  be  scien- 
tific according  to  this  new  idea,  every 
thought  and  every  expression  will  have  to 
give  expression  to  that  which  was  re- 
vealed by  the  understanding  of  the  prin- 
ciple of  truth — Absolute  or  Divine  Truth. 
Herein  we  find  the  necessity  of  considering 

L25I 


U8e  (Bood  &itie  ot  CSrigJtian  fecrmre 

the  word  *' error/'  which  represents  the 
sum-total  of  all  such  ideas  as  the  mind 
of  man  may  create  when  living  in  mate- 
riality, or  in  a  state  where  the  truth  is 
misunderstood  or  not  properly  compre- 
hended. To  eliminate  error,  therefore, 
became  one  of  the  essentials  in  the  eman- 
cipation of  the  mind  from  all  adverse 
conditions  that  might  exist  either  in  the 
personality  or  in  one's  environments;  and 
this  we  clearly  understand  because  if  we 
are  to  become  scientific  according  to  this 
new  idea,  we  must  think  and  express  the 
principle  of  truth. 

This  new  conception  of  science  became 
a  power,  and  for  several  reasons.  In  the 
first  place,  it  was  logical,  that  is,  to  those 
who  were  able  to  appreciate  the  fact  that 
science  was  not  necessarily  confined  to 
the  physical  realm,  but  that  science  stood 
for  a  principle  and  therefore  would  natu- 
rally belong  in  a  larger  measure  to  the 
spiritual   realm. 

[26] 


^6t  (Booh  feine  ot  C6ti0tian  ^cimtt 


In  this  connection  we  might  pause  and 
consider  the   criticism  of  those  who  have 
sometimes  termed  Christian  Science  "mere 
intellectual    rubbish'';     but    no    one    will 
make  that  criticism  unless  he  is  confined 
exclusively  to  materiality.     Anyone  who  is 
spiritually  awakened,   or  whose  mind   has 
gained  that  broad  conception  of  life  where 
he  is  conscious  in  the  spiritual  as  well  as 
in  the  material  —  such  a  mind  knows  that 
the  Christian  Science  interpretation  of  the 
term   ''science"   is   logical,   and   that   it  is 
absolutely  true   to  the  truth.     We  know, 
of  course,   there   are   a   number  of  state- 
ments in  "Science  and  Health"  that  are 
contradictory;    but  it  certainly  would  not 
be  possible  to  find   any  book  written  by 
human  hand  that  would  not  contain  some 
imperfections;  on  the  whole,  however,  that 
book  is  a  clear  and  lucid  presentation  of 
facts;  and  anyone  who  is  trained  in  meta- 
physics, or  who  has  the  power  to  appre- 
ciate the  metaphysical  idea,  can  read  that 

[27] 


^^t  (5ooti  feitie  ot  Cfiti^ttan  fecitnce 

book  from  beginning  to  end  and  find  it 
thoroughly  logical,  absolutely  true  to  the 
truth. 

This  new  interpretation  of  science  also 
presented  a  new  conception  of  life,  and 
enlarged  upon  the  power  of  science  to 
such  an  extraordinary  degree  that  anyone 
who  might  henceforth  use  the  term  science 
—  using  it  in  the  consciousness  of  its  new 
meaning  —  could  not  help  but  feel  its 
wonderful  power.  It  opened  a  way  to  the 
discernment  of  the  inner  side  of  things, 
the  higher  side,  the  finer  side,  and  enabled 
the  mind  to  enter  into  that  finer  spiritual 
conception  of  truth  and  reality  that  is 
absolutely  indispensable  to  the  under- 
standing of  real  truth  itself,  as  well  as  to 
the  living  of  a  life  that  may  have  truth 
and   reality  as   its  permanent   foundation. 

This  new  idea  of  science  became  power- 
ful for  another  reason;  and  it  is  this,  that 
when  our  thinking  is  scientific,  that  is, 
when    we    formulate    thought    and    life    in 

[28] 


tlWje  (Booh  ^iht  ot  CDrigftian  ^timte 

the  image  and  likeness  of  our  highest 
conception  of  Divine  Truth,  we  are  build- 
ing up  in  the  mind  some  very  powerful 
forces  —  forces  that  are  wholesome  and 
constructive,  and  that  invariably  tend  to 
make  the  whole  of  life  a  positive  power 
for  greater  and  greater  good;  and  there- 
fore anyone  who  lives  according  to  sci- 
ence cannot  fail  to  ascend  steadily  and 
surely  into  the  consciousness  of  greater 
and  greater  good. 

We  know  that  when  the  mind  is  trained 
to  think  constructively,  and  think  toward 
certain  lofty  ideals,  and  when  that  train- 
ing is  made  so  thorough  that  every  ele- 
ment in  the  entire  personality  becomes 
inspired  with  a  desire  to  work  toward  this 
lofty  ideal  —  we  find  that  the  entire 
system  begins  to  pass  through  a  state  of 
transformation;  that  is,  both  mind  and 
body  will  find  freedom  from  the  lesser, 
from  the  adverse,  or  from  the  wrong,  and 
will  steadily  change  into  the  consciousness 

[29] 


%f\t  (Boon  &itie  ot  C!)rig(tian  fecience 

and     realization    of    the    wholesome,    the 
true,  the  harmonious,  and  the  ideal. 

Herein  we  find  the  real  secret  of  eman- 
cipation and  also  the  real  principle  upon 
which  science  healing  is  based.  It  is  not 
necessary,  however,  to  analyze  in  detail 
the  process  of  the  scientific  method,  be- 
cause we  are  all  familiar  with  it;  but  we 
realize  what  an  inspiration  the  word 
"science''  becomes  when  this  inner  and 
larger  meaning  of  science  is  fully  under- 
stood; and  it  cannot  fail  to  produce  a 
deep  and  w^onderful  impression  upon  those 
who  are  prepared  to  understand  its  mean- 
ing in  this  higher  and  larger  measure. 

The  first  step,  therefore,  to  be  taken  by 
the  new  movement  was  to  combine  those 
two  wonderful  words  in  one  name,  for- 
mulating thereby  a  religious  system  of 
thought  and  life  that  eliminated  com- 
pletely the  dark  clouds  of  false  belief. 
The  term  *' Christian"  came  to  stand  for 
emancipation,  for  health,  for  life,  for  free- 
[30] 


%fit  (Booti  &iDe  0t  €liti0tian  Science 

dom,  for  joy,  for  abundance,  for  the  all- 
good  of  all  good  things,  here  and  now; 
and  the  word  *' science''  came  to  stand 
for  a  new  and  marvelous  method,  a  method 
that  could  be  employed  and  demonstrated 
not  only  in  the  external  world,  but  also 
in  the  worlds  of  mind  and  spirit.  We 
understand,  therefore,  that  such  a  com- 
bination of  terms  and  ideas,  appearing 
at  the  right  time,  at  the  psychological 
moment,  at  a  time  when  thousands  were 
in  dire  need  of  that  great  message  the  new 
movement  came  so  fully  prepared  to  pre- 
sent —  we  fully  understand  why  the  move- 
ment became  such  a  power,  and  why  it  has 
succeeded  to  such  a  remarkable  degree. 
But  back  of  it  all  was  a  wonderful  woman, 
a  woman  who  has  made  her  place  in  his- 
tory, a  place  that  will  be  absolutely  secure 
for  all  time.  She  has  won  immortal  fame, 
and  she  deserves  it  in  the  fullest  measure 
of  the  term. 

To  these  facts  we  all   agree,  but  what 

C31] 


^fjc  (KooH  feide  of  C^ri^tian  ^tkme 

we  wish  to  know  in  particular  is  the  real 
reason  why  the  Christian  Science  move- 
ment has  become  so  powerful,  and  why  it 
has  succeeded  to  such  a  degree  regardless 
of  misunderstanding  and  opposition.  We 
know  that  when  we  consider  its  origin, 
and  the  elements  that  went  to  make  up 
the  system  in  the  beginning,  we  find 
many  reasons  why  it  necessarily  would 
succeed;  but  those  elements  do  not  con- 
vey the  real  reason.  To  find  the  real 
reason  we  shall  have  to  penetrate  more 
deeply  into  the  principles  upon  which  the 
movement  was  based;  and  in  this  manner 
we  shall  discover  something  that  will  prove 
of  exceptional  importance  to  us  all;  that 
is,  if  we  choose  to  apply  practically  and 
continually  the  secret  we  shall  thus  dis- 
cover. 

There  are  a  great  many  things  that 
could  be  mentioned  if  we  were  in  search 
of  the  real  reason  why  the  Christian 
Science  movement  has  been  so  successful, 

C32] 


%it  (Boon  ^itie  of  CSti!3(tian  Science 

but  the  majority  of  these  things  would 
occupy  a  secondary  position.  There  are 
two  things,  however,  that  occupy  a  most 
important  position,  and  it  is  these  two 
that  are,  more  than  all  others,  responsi- 
ble for  the  success  of  the  movement. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  practice  among 
Christian  Scientists  of  living  absolutely 
according  to  the  metaphysical  principle; 
and  although  we  cannot  say  that  their 
method  of  conforming  to  the  metaphysical 
principle  would  constitute  the  highest  light 
for  everybody,  still  one  thing  is  certain, 
and  it  is  this,  that  any  individual  who 
realizes  the  power  of  Divine  Truth,  or 
that  comprehends  the  metaphysical  con- 
ception of  life  and  who  positively  believes 
that  the  power  of  truth  is  sufficient  to 
give  him  absolute  freedom  from  any  ill- 
ness in  life  or  bring  to  him  anything  that 
he  may  desire  in  life  —  any  one  who  be- 
lieves this,  and  who  depends  absolutely 
upon  that  understanding,  is  going  to  ac- 

[33] 


^tt  (Boot!  &itie  ot  CStigftian  ^titnct 

complish  far  more  than  if  he  relied  upon 
that  understanding  part  of  the  time,  and 
at  other  times  employed  other  or  lesser 
means. 

We  have  heard  a  great  deal  in  modern 
times  about  the  possibility  of  combining 
the  different  systems  of  cure,  and  whether 
it  might  be  all  right  to  take  medicine  and 
at  the  same  time  apply  metaphysical 
treatment.  The  fact  is,  however,  that  it 
will  depend  largely  upon  the  individual. 
There  are  some  individuals  who  are  not 
very  deeply  impressed  by  anything,  but 
whatever  means  they  do  employ  may  tend 
to  help  them  through  good  suggestions. 
In  other  words,  when  they  take  medicine 
they  believe  that  this  will  help,  and  of 
course  it  does  help  to  the  extent  that  they 
accept  the  suggestion  of  helpfulness  re- 
ceived at  the  time.  Then  they  may  em- 
ploy science  treatment  and  may  expect 
help  in  the  same  way,  thereby  giving 
themselves  good  suggestions  once  more. 
C34] 


%fit  C5oo\}  feide  ot  Cfiri^tian  fecitnce 

With  these  people,  however,  it  is  all 
suggestion,  and  whatever  help  they  secure, 
they  secure  through  the  power  of  sugges- 
tion; and  there  are  a  great  many  people 
connected  with  the  Christian  Science  move- 
ment who  get  nothing  but  good  sugges- 
tions out  of  the  Christian  Science  move- 
ment. They  have  not  entered  into  the 
metaphysics  of  life  in  any  mode  or  manner. 
They  do  not  understand  the  science  of  the 
system  they  have  adopted  because  they 
have  not  entered  inside,  so  to  speak,  of 
the  beliefs  or  ideas  they  have  adopted. 
The  only  good  they  secure  from  their 
association  with  the  Christian  Science 
movement  is  the  effect  of  helpful,  positive 
and  optimistic  suggestions;  and  we  know 
that  where  minds  are  susceptible  such  an 
influence  is  always  beneficial,  but  it  is 
also  superficial  and  has  no  permanent 
value  anywhere. 

It  is  largely  the  same  with  a  great  many 
people  who  study  other  lines  of  mental  or 

[35] 


U8t  (Koon  &itie  Dt  C^tis^tian  fecimce 

spiritual  or  metaphysical  systems.  They 
are  benefited  whenever  a  good  suggestion 
is  given  them;  but  in  their  case  it  is  noth- 
ing more  than  suggestion.  The  help  they 
receive  is  always  temporary,  and  they 
have  to  be  helped  again  and  again  by 
some  individual  who  can  give  them  good, 
strong  suggestions  in  the  same  way  as  the 
physician  gives  a  dose  of  medicine  accord- 
ing to  requirement. 

All  of  this,  however,  is  on  the  outside, 
and  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  real  under- 
standing of  Divine  Truth;  but  let  any 
individual  get  into  the  spirit  of  this 
understanding  and  enter  into  the  con- 
sciousness of  real  metaphysics  —  then  he 
will  actually  gain  possession  of  the  power 
of  truth,  the  power  of  the  spirit  and  the 
power  of  the  Christ  dwelling  in  man; 
and  he  will  find  that  if  he  continues  to 
depend  absolutely  upon  that  power  re- 
gardless of  circumstances  he  is  going  to 
have    far    greater    results    than    he    could 

[36] 


^it  (Boon  &itie  ot  C^rigftian  fectence 

possibly  have  by  dividing  his  attention 
among  a  score  of  different  methods  or 
systems. 

The  law  involved  therein  is  very  simple 
because  we  understand  that  when  we 
depend  absolutely  upon  higher  power  and 
have  unbounded  faith  in  that  power,  the 
mind  will  constantly  reach  out  into  higher 
and  finer  realization  of  that  power,  thereby 
gaining  possession  of  a  greater  and  greater 
measure  of  that  power  constantly;  and 
we  understand  full  well  that  whatever  the 
condition  may  be,  if  we  gain  sufficient 
spiritual  power  we  will  be  able  to  elimi- 
nate adverse  conditions  absolutely  and 
realize  perfect  freedom.  On  the  other 
hand,  if  we  have  faith  in  higher  power  only 
now  and  then,  and  then  transfer  our  faith 
to  something  else  at  frequent  intervals, 
the  house  will  be  divided  against  itself. 
Thus  we  do  not  have  real  faith  in  any- 
thing. We  are  simply  trying  them,  so  to 
speak,    to    see    whether    they    will    work; 

C  37] 


^f\t  (I5ooti  &itie  ot  C6ti0tian  Science 

but  the  fact  is  that  nothing  will  work  for 
us  unless  we  first  proceed  with  unbounded 
faith  in  the  method  or  the  principle  that 
we  have  elected  to  employ. 

We  find  among  Christian  Scientists 
that  a  great  many  of  them  are  actually 
expressing  and  depending  absolutely  upon 
the  power  of  truth.  They  depend  exclu- 
sively upon  the  principle  upon  which  they 
stand;  that  is,  a  fair  percentage  of  them 
do,  although  we  know  that  the  larger 
percentage  live  undoubtedly  on  the  out- 
side and  secure  results  only  through  super- 
ficial suggestion.  This  larger  number  have 
not  entered  into  the  inner  circle  of  truth, 
so  to  speak,  and  do  not  comprehend  the 
spirit  of  truth  nor  the  real  significance  of 
the  Christian  Science  movement. 

The  real  Christian  Scientist,  however, 
depends  absolutely  upon  the  power  of 
truth,  the  power  of  the  spirit,  the  power 
of  the  Christ  —  and  lives,  thinks  and  acts 
continually   in   the   metaphysical   state   of 

[38] 


Tlit  (Kooti  ^itJt  ot  Cfiri^tian  ^ckmt 

mind,  that  state  of  mind  in  which  the 
understanding  of  divine  truth  is  abso- 
lutely genuine  and  pure. 

In  this  connection  we  may  ask  a  very 
important  question;  and  the  question  is, 
if  we,  who  do  not  belong  to  the  Christian 
Science  organization  and  have  not  adopted 
their  system  as  a  whole,  —  if  we  can  em- 
ploy the  same  method  of  depending  abso- 
lutely upon  the  spirit  and  get  the  same 
results,  without  complying  with  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  that  organization.  It 
is  a  question  that  has  been  asked  fre- 
quently, and  there  is  but  one  answer,  be- 
cause we  all  know  that  the  truth  is  not 
confined  to  any  organization  nor  dependent 
upon  the  rules  and  regulations  of  any  insti- 
tution whatever.  The  truth  is  that  any 
human  soul  who  will  depend  absolutely 
upon  the  spirit  of  truth  will  receive  the 
full  power  of  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  will 
secure  the  same  results,  whether  he  work 
alone  or  choose  to  unite  with  some  insti- 

[39] 


^fjt  (Boob  &itie  of  Cfiri^tian  Science 

tution.  We  must  realize  that  we  do  not 
have  to  abide  by  any  fixed  system  of 
beHef  or  any  mode  of  organization  in  order 
to  come  into  the  possession  of  the  good, 
the  true  and  the  ideal. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  be  loyal  to  this 
system  or  to  that  individual  in  order  to 
receive  spiritual  power.  All  that  is  neces- 
sary is  to  enter  into  the  metaphysical  con- 
ception of  life  where  we  can  understand 
truth  in  its  purity,  and  thereby  receive 
the  full  power  of  the  spirit  of  truth;  and 
when  we  do  receive  that  power,  depend 
absolutely  upon  the  truth  itself,  never 
for  one  moment  thinking  that  we  shall 
have  to  employ  something  else. 

The  real  Christian  Scientists  have  taken 
this  lofty  position;  and  that  is  one  of 
their  great  secrets.  They  do  not  com- 
promise with  the  lesser  under  any  circum- 
stance. They  take  God  at  his  word  and 
expect  him  to  answer  every  prayer  here 
and  now.     We  know,  however,  that  there 

[40] 


^lit  C5oo\}  fe)itie  ot  C6rigitian  Science 

are  not  a  great  many  people  who  do  this. 
Most  people  pray  and  have  faith  in  a 
measure;  and  then  when  they  discover 
that  results  do  not  follow  instantaneously, 
they  call  in  a  physician,  or  they  proceed 
to  give  their  attention  to  some  other 
means.  As  a  rule,  they  continue  in  this 
house-divided-against-itself  attitude,  never 
giving  any  method  or  process  sufficient 
time  to  do  its  work.  They  are  constantly 
scattering  their  forces,  and  therefore  ac- 
complish very  little  in  the  metaphysical 
or  spiritual  worlds. 

In  this  connection  we  must  not  say  that 
no  one  should  ever  call  in  a  physician. 
The  truth  is,  that  if  we  are  convinced 
that  we  are  in  need  of  a  physician  or  that 
we  need  material  help  of  any  kind,  we 
should  seek  such  help  at  once.  But  the 
point  is  this:  When  we  know  that  the 
power  of  the  spirit  can  do  anything  for 
us,  and  when  we  have  learned  to  live  in 
a  state  of  consciousness  where  we  under- 

C41] 


^!je  CBooU  feitie  ot  CStigstian  feciente 

stand  the  truth  so  deeply  and  so  perfectly 
that  we  know  absolutely  that  the  know- 
ing of  the  truth  can  and  does  make  for 
freedom  invariably  —  if  we  depend  abso- 
lutely upon  the  truth  and  the  limitless 
power  of  the  indwelling  Christ,  we  shall 
find  that  the  mere  thought  of  seeking 
lesser  means  at  any  time  is  a  waste  of 
time.  We  shall  gain  far  more  and  realize 
far  greater  results  if  we  stand  by  the 
power  of  the  truth  under  every  circum- 
stance, and  depend  so  absolutely  upon 
that  power  that  our  entire  attention  is 
directed  upon  the  light  of  that  under- 
standing through  which  we  gain  posses- 
sion of  this  power. 

When  we  proceed  to  consider  this  phase 
of  the  subject  another  question  may  arise. 
We  will  suppose  that  we  do  depend  upon 
the  power  of  the  spirit  absolutely  for  a 
reasonable  length  of  time;  and  when  we 
do  not  secure  results,  should  we  then  give 
up  and  try  some  other  method  ?    We  admit 

[42] 


^6e  (I15ooti  &itit  Dt  C6ti0tian  &cimce 

this  question  involves  a  very  fine  point, 
and  the  answer  would  depend  altogether 
upon  the  situation.  We  know  that  Jesus 
Christ  did,  at  some  times,  or  at  any  rate 
appeared  to  use  material  means,  and  used 
various  methods  at  times  that  seemed  dif- 
ferent from  the  purely  spiritual  method. 
And  we  must  admit  that  it  is  always  well 
to  consider  the  laws  of  nature  in  the  truth 
as  we  did  when  we  depended  exclusively 
upon  material  methods.  There  can  be  no 
sympathy  for  people  who  purposely  sit 
in  a  cold  draft  in  order  that  they  may  be 
able  later  to  demonstrate  the  power  of 
science;  or  for  people  who  eat  anything 
they  like  in  order  to  prove  how  easily 
they  can  overcome  the  ill  effects. 

The  truth  is,  we  have  better  use  for 
our  energy  than  that.  Still  if  we  realize 
that  we  are  in  the  spirit,  that  we  are 
influenced  exclusively  by  the  power  of  the 
spirit,  literally  filled  with  that  power,  we 
certainly  cannot   have   any  fear  of  drafts 

[43] 


^6e  (5ooh  Sine  ot  Cl)rt0tian  ^titntt 

or  anything  else.  Nevertheless,  there  is 
no  need  of  subjecting  the  body  to  extra 
work  under  any  circumstance.  This  en- 
tire field  involves  many  fine  points,  and 
we  shall  have  to  judge  for  ourselves  what 
we  are  going  to  do  under  these  circum- 
stances. At  the  present  time  we  all  have 
physical  bodies,  and  we  are  surrounded 
with  many  conditions  that  are  imperfect 
or  adverse,  so  that  we  shall  find  it  advis- 
able to  exercise  all  the  wisdom  we  possess 
in  order  to  adapt  ourselves  harmoniously 
to  everything  that  may  arise  in  this  sphere 
of  existence. 

But  regardless  of  this  we  know  that  the 
principal  secret  of  the  Christian  Science 
movement  is  found  in  this:  That  they 
depend  absolutely  upon  the  power  of  the 
truth  and  the  power  of  the  indwelling 
Christ.  They  have  taken  God  at  his 
word,  and  expect  him  to  answer  every 
prayer  without  the  least  doubt.  They 
believe  that  in  the  spirit  and  in  the  truth 
[44] 


^6e  (Booti  &itie  ot  C6ti0t(an  Science 

there  is  health  and  freedom  for  everybody; 
they  expect  to  demonstrate  health  and 
freedom  by  living  absolutely  and  continu- 
ously in  the  spirit  of  truth;  and  they  have 
results,  wonderful  results.  What  they 
have  accomplished  is  an  illustration  of 
what  can  be  accomplished  by  devoted 
and  consecrated  concentration  upon  higher 
spiritual  power.  It  is  an  illustration  of 
what  can  be  done  when  we  follow  the 
great  statement,  "Keep  the  eye  single 
upon  the  Most  High";  and  those  who 
understand  the  psychology  of  this  process 
will  realize  at  once  why  the  Christian 
Science  movement  has  accomplished  so 
much  and  become  such  a  marvelous  power 
in  the  religious  world  today. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  analyze  this  phase 
of  the  subject  further,  because  we  know 
that  people  are  coming  more  and  more  to 
the  conclusion  that  after  we  have  entered 
into  the  understanding  of  the  greater,  and 
after  we  have  come  to  a  place  where  we 

[45] 


^it  (BoDti  feint  ot  C6rtg(tian  &ctm« 

really  know  what  higher  power  can  do,  it 
is  certainly  a  waste  of  time  to  give  any 
attention  whatever  to  the  lesser.  And  we 
are  also  coming  more  and  more  into  the 
realization  of  the  truth  that  the  more 
devoted  we  are  to  the  power  of  the  spirit, 
and  the  more  perfectly  we  live  in  the 
pure  metaphysical  understanding  of  Divine 
Truth,  the  greater  will  the  power  of  the 
spirit  manifest  in  us  and  through  us.  This 
is  a  principle  we  all  understand;  but  it 
is  something  that  we  should  not  simply 
remember;  it  is  something  that  deserves 
our  deepest  and  most  thorough  attention. 

Another  principle  of  practice  that  has 
proven  so  highly  important  in  the  success 
of  the  Christian  Science  movement  is  that 
of  giving  absolute  devotion  to  the  great 
central  idea  of  the  system  itself.  The 
term  "Christian  Science"  stands  for  a 
certain  idea.  That  idea  may  be  vague  to 
some  minds,  but  to  those  who  really  under- 
stand  it,  or  who  have  looked  into  it  care- 

[46] 


%llt  CKooti  ^itie  of  Cfitigftian  fecirnce 

fully,  it  becomes  an  idea  that  represents 
something  that  is  not  only  definite  but 
something  of  marvelous  meaning. 

On  every  hand  we  hear  people  making 
the  statement  when  in  dangerous  places, 
''Suppose  we  try  science."  That  word 
has  come  to  mean  something  special;  and 
even  the  outside  world  is  beginning  to 
appreciate  the  fact  that  there  is  power 
back  of  the  term  "Science,"  although  they 
may  not  understand  where  or  how  that 
power  produces  results. 

The  majority,  however,  among  those 
who  have  gained  some  understanding  of 
the  principle  of  real  science,  believe  firmly 
that  the  power  existing  or  manifesting 
through  science  has  the  power  to  protect, 
to  heal,  to  emancipate  and  to  bring  us 
every  good  thing  in  life.  In  other  words, 
science,  with  its  interior  interpretation,  rep- 
resents a  power  that  can  make  all  things 
right  here  and  now;  and  those  who  have 
entered    into    this    interior    interpretation 

[47] 


^6e  (Booti  &itie  ot  CStigJtian  Science 

actually  feel  that  they  are  protected  by 
something  that  is  invincible,  something 
that  comes  from  a  higher  and  unlimited 
source. 

We  find  that  Christian  Scientists,  as  a 
rule,  realize  that  the  central  idea  of  the 
system  they  have  adopted  contains  a  su- 
perior power,  or  is  the  channel  through 
which  superior  power  can  be  realized; 
and  by  concentrating  attention  upon  that 
idea  they  enter  more  and  more  into  the 
realization  of  the  power  itself,  thereby  se- 
curing all  the  protection,  all  the  guidance 
and  all  the  benefit  that  their  understand- 
ing of  the  idea  can  produce  for  them  as 
far  as  they  have  gone  in  their  understand- 
ing at  the  present  time. 

There  are  quite  a  number,  however, 
among  the  more  devoted  Christian  Scien- 
tists that  have  concentrated  their  atten- 
tion so  exclusively  upon  this  central  idea 
that  they  have  become  fanatical,  and 
therefore  are  becoming  in  a  measure  an 
[48] 


^8e  (5oo\i  &itie  ot  C6ti0tian  Science 

obstacle  to  their  own  higher  achievement. 
That,  however,  is  another  story,  and  is 
something  that  we  need  not  enter  into  at 
the  present  time. 

The  principle  is  this,  that  whenever  you 
have  an  ideal  of  enormous  possibihties, 
and  devote  yourself  absolutely  to  that 
ideal,  that  is,  concentrate  your  whole  life 
upon  everything  that  is  high,  wonderful  or 
marvelous  in  that  ideal  —  then  you  not 
only  place  in  action  all  the  greater  powers 
within  yourself,  but  you  also  place  your- 
self in  a  position  where  you  are  constantly 
reaching  out  and  up  into  the  higher  and 
better  understanding  of  all  the  powers  and 
possibilities  that  do  exist  in  that  ideal. 
The  result  is  that  you  will  enter  more  and 
more  into  the  inheritance  of  that  ideal; 
and  where  that  ideal  involves  the  abso- 
lute understanding  of  Divine  Truth  you 
will  enter  more  and  more  into  the  spirit 
of  that  truth,  thereby  fulfilling  in  your  own 
life   that  wonderful   statement,   *'Ye   shall 

[49] 


%ljt  (Booti  feiue  ot  €f\ti0tian  ^titntt 

know  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth  shall  make 
you  free." 

To  state  it  differently,  if  you  know  of  a 
certain  power  that  can  do  certain  things, 
and  you  devote  yourself  absolutely  to  that 
power  all  through  your  life,  there  is  only 
one  conclusion  to  come  to,  and  it  is  this, 
that  one  of  these  days  that  power  is  going 
to  return  your  favor.  You  will  enter  into 
the  possession  of  that  power,  and  all  that 
is  beautiful  and  marvelous  in  that  power 
will  become  your  own. 

The  Christian  Scientists  are  proving 
this  every  day.  They  are  devoting  them- 
selves absolutely  to  the  great  central 
principle  of  Divine  Truth,  and  have  con- 
secrated themselves  in  every  form  and 
manner  to  the  invincible  power  of  Divine 
Truth.  The  result  is  that  that  power  is 
returning  the  favor;  and  therefore  they 
are  proving  their  religion  in  every  form 
and  manner. 

In    this    connection,    however,    we    must 

[50] 


^fft  (Boot}  feitie  ot  CSti^tian  Science 

remember  that  the  secret  of  the  Christian 
Scientist  will  not  be  found  in  the  belief 
that  they  know  more  than  other  people, 
although  they  certainly  do  know  more 
than  a  great  many  people;  but  their 
secret  is  found  in  their  tremendous  devo- 
tion to  a  high  spiritual  idea  and  a  high 
spiritual  power.  They  do  not  compre- 
hend the  mysteries  of  life  any  more  per- 
fectly than  other  devoted  students  of  the 
same  subject,  but  they  have  entered  into 
the  metaphysical  conception  of  truth;  and 
this  has  given  them  the  key  to  the  real 
understanding  of  truth  and  the  real  power 
of  the  spirit.  But  this  key  is  not  the  sole 
possession  of  the  Christian  Scientist,  nor 
will  it  become,  at  any  time,  the  sole  pos- 
session of  any  one  organization. 

The  truth  is  that  any  individual  who 
will  enter  into  the  metaphysical  concep- 
tion of  truth  and  devote  his  life  abso- 
lutely and  exclusively  to  the  spirit  of  the 
truth  as  discerned  in  the  consciousness  of 

Csi] 


%it  (Boot}  feide  ot  C^tii^tian  fecitnce 

pure  metaphysics  —  let  any  individual  take 
this  same  course,  and  he  will  also  find  the 
same  key. 

It  is  an  illustration  of  tremendous  con- 
centration or  consecration  of  the  highest 
order.  We  know  that  concentration  is  the 
great  key  to  achievement  in  all  modes  of 
demonstration;  but  we  cannot  apply  the 
principle  of  concentration  unless  we  have 
something  upon  which  to  concentrate  that 
really  does  contain  the  power  that  we 
desire.  And  here  we  must  also  remember 
that  concentration  does  not  express  its 
greatest  power  until  it  becomes  consecra- 
tion; that  is,  the  attitude  of  mind  must 
become  metaphysical  and  spiritual,  and 
must  devote  itself  absolutely  to  the  highest 
truth  and  the  inner  or  spiritual  significance 
of  absolute  truth. 

We  all  will  admit  that  one  of  the  great- 
est lessons  to  be  learned  at  the  present 
time  is  this  lesson  of  unprecedented  spir- 
itual concentration  or  consecration  of  Di- 

[52] 


^6f  cl^oDti  &itie  ot  C5ri0ttan  Science 

vine  Truth  as  manifested  in  the  Christian 
Science  movement;  and  we  all  may  say 
to  ourselves,  and  wisely,  "Go,  and  do  like- 
wise''; although  we  need  not  unite  with 
that  movement  in  order  to  demonstrate 
the  same  truth  and  the  same  power. 

The  Christian  Science  system  is  a  sys- 
tem that  is  admirably  adapted  to  a  large 
number  of  people,  but  the  way  it  is  organ- 
ized at  the  present  time  is  not  adapted  to 
everybody;  and  when  no  organization  or 
system  of  belief  can  possess  the  exclusive 
secret  to  the  perfect  understanding  of 
truth,  we  realize  that  we  may  employ 
this  same  principle  no  matter  where  we 
may  live  or  work,  or  through  what  system 
of  belief  we  may  prefer  to  express  our- 
selves in  this  age. 

When  we  study  this  wonderful  subject, 
we  find  that  certain  interpretations  of 
truth  become,  so  to  speak,  channels  or 
pathways  toward  that  higher  understand- 
ing or  consciousness  that  we  are  in  search 

CS3] 


Ulje  (Booh  &itie  ot  C6ri!3tian  fe)cience 


of;  and  although  there  may  be  any  number 
of  such  interpretations,  complying  with 
the  various  needs  of  various  people,  they 
all  may  lead  to  the  same  sublime  source. 
Our  first  object  therefore  should  be  to 
learn  the  understanding  of  the  great  law, 
that  law  of  life  that  we  all  must  employ 
in  our  search  for  the  realization  of  the 
whole  truth  concerning  life;  and  when- 
ever we  do  employ  that  law  we  will  enter 
into  the  very  truth  that  we  desire,  that 
we  have  searched  for.  And  whenever 
we  are  in  the  truth,  we  know  the  truth, 
and  accordingly  gain  the  absolute  freedom 
promised. 

In  this  connection  we  should  also  re- 
member the  fact  that  it  is  not  what  we 
believe,  or  what  institutions  we  belong  to, 
or  what  systems  we  have  adopted  —  it  is 
not  these  things  that  bring  results;  it  is 
what  we  do  with  the  principle  involved  — 
that  is  what  brings  results. 

In   considering  this  subject   further,  we 

[54] 


^6e  (Booh  Mt}t  ot  CfirijJtian  Science 

might  ask  another  question;  that  is,  how 
it  happened  that  the  Christian  Science 
movement  almost  from  the  beginning  en- 
tered into  this  wonderful  secret  —  the  ap- 
plication of  the  wonderful  law  of  spiritual 
concentration  or  consecration;  and  we  also 
might  ask  why  they  succeeded  in  finding 
the  inner  or  metaphysical  conception  of 
truth  and  life  —  the  consciousness  of  the 
purely  metaphysical  state,  thought  and 
being. 

In  answer,  we  know  that  there  were 
various  reasons.  One  reason  was  the  way 
the  movement  began;  and  these  two  won- 
derful words,  *' Christian"  and  *' Science," 
were  so  combined  that  their  interior  mean- 
ing made  a  powerful  impression  upon 
those  people  who  were  ready  to  appreciate 
that  interior  meaning,  and  who  entered 
into  that  attitude  of  mind  where  their 
consciousness  of  the  spiritual  side  became 
a  reality. 

And  here  let  us  consider  a  remarkable 

[55] 


^Iie  Cl^ooli  &itie  ot  C6ri0tian  Science 

psychological  law.  Whenever  you  find 
the  inner  meaning  of  any  principle,  law 
or  state  of  being,  and  are  in  a  position  to 
be  deeply  impressed  by  the  inner  meaning 
thus  discerned,  and  furthermore  consecrate 
attention  with  mind  and  soul  and  spirit 
upon  this  inner  meaning,  you  will  soon 
enter  into  the  real  consciousness  of  that 
interior  state.  You  will  find  thereby  that 
you  have  discovered  a  new  world  in  the 
domains  of  mind  and  spirit,  a  world  in 
which  you  may  remain  all  your  life  if  you 
continue  to  be  true  to  the  highest  truth 
that  you  have  discerned  within  that  world. 
The  early  Christian  Scientists  discerned 
the  inner  meaning  of  Christian  Science; 
that  is,  the  interior  meaning  of  the  cen- 
tral idea  or  principle  that  was  represented 
by  the  Christian  Science  system.  They 
were  ready  for  it,  inasmuch  as  they  had 
outgrown  literalism  absolutely;  and  being 
ready  for  it  —  hungering  and  thirsting  for 
the    consciousness   of  the   spirit,   they   ab- 

[S6] 


fH^t  (Booli  &iDe  ot  C6ti0tian  &cimce 

solutely  consecrated  mind  and  soul  and 
spirit  upon  the  great  Light  that  had  been 
revealed  to  them.  Accordingly,  they  en- 
tered into  the  very  life  and  spirit  of  that 
Light;  and  they  found  after  they  had 
passed  through  the  *' inner  gates"  that 
they  were  in  an  attitude  of  mind  they 
had  never  known  before.  This  attitude  of 
mind  we  know  to  be  the  attitude  of  pure 
metaphysics;  that  is,  an  attitude  that 
transcends  all  conditions  and  things  —  an 
attitude  that  involves  an  absolute  con- 
sciousness of  the  reality  of  eternal  being. 
They  discovered  that  while  in  that  atti- 
tude, usually  termed  "the  spiritual  under- 
standing of  Divine  Truth,"  they  were  able 
to  demonstrate  the  power  of  truth;  and 
whenever  we  can  demonstrate  the  power 
of  truth  we  have  an  argument  in  favor 
of  our  position  that  is  invincible. 

The  Christian  Science  method,  there- 
fore, of  finding  the  interior  significance 
and    power   of   real    truth   was    a    method 

[57] 


^St  (Kood  feitie  ct  CSrigstian  &cimce 

that  demonstrated  itself  admirably.  And 
here  we  may  emphasize  the  fact  that,  as 
far  as  we  know,  the  meaning  of  Chris- 
tianity and  the  inner  meaning  of  Science 
had  never  been  combined  before  into  one 
great  spiritual  idea;  and  therefore  those 
who  were  ready,  hungering  and  thirsting 
for  the  spiritual,  would  naturally  enter 
into  this  new  understanding  with  un- 
bounded enthusiasm  and  limitless  faith. 

It  would  be  possible,  if  we  should  so 
desire,  to  illustrate  this  process  along  psy- 
chological lines,  and  demonstrate  all  the 
laws  involved,  explaining  every  step  made 
in  a  thoroughly  scientific  manner;  but 
those  of  us  who  have  more  or  less  dis- 
cernment of  the  inner  meaning  of  all  great 
principles,  can  discern  at  once  why  the 
Christian  Science  movement  gained  at  the 
very  beginning  a  position  that  was  indeed 
founded  on  the  solid  rock.  The  methods 
employed  were  methods  based  upon  the 
great  law  of  spiritual  understanding;  and 
[58] 


^Se  CBooti  feitie  of  C8ri)^tian  fedtnct 

they  have  produced  remarkable  results; 
but  they  are  not  the  only  methods,  be- 
cause the  spiritual  world  is  wonderfully 
rich.  We  may  expect,  therefore,  that  al- 
most at  any  time  in  the  future  another 
method  for  approaching  Divine  Truth  may 
be  evolved,  and  another  system  of  thought 
with  another  institution  appearing  to  fur- 
ther that  method  throughout  the  world  — 
an  institution  that  may  become  far  greater 
and  far  more  powerful  than,  the  Christian 
Science  movement  is  today. 

The  fact  that  there  are  ten  times  as 
many  people  outside  the  Christian  Science 
Church  as  inside  that  church  who  are 
searching  for  the  highest  truth,  not  being 
satisfied  with  the  Christian  Science  method, 
proves  conclusively  that  there  is  an  over- 
whelming demand  for  some  other  means  or 
process  through  which  the  marvelous 
power  of  the  spirit  may  be  gained  and 
demonstrated  here  and  now;  and  we  know 
that   wherever  the   demand   is   sufficiently 

[59] 


tlTfie  (Booli  &ftie  o(  Cfiri^tmn  fecience 

large,  the  supply  must  follow  in  due 
time. 

The  Christian  Science  movement  has 
filled  the  spiritual  wants,  as  well  as  the 
temporal  wants  of  thousands  and  thou- 
sands of  people;  but  that  movement  is 
not  able  to  supply  the  spiritual  or  temporal 
wants  of  all  the  people  who  have  awakened 
to  the  new  light,  the  new  time  and  the 
new  order. 

We  realize  therefore  that  if  the  law  of 
demand  and  supply  is  to  be  true,  and  it 
always  is  true,  the  time  is  ripe  for  another 
spiritual  movement,  a  movement  that  will 
far  transcend  the  Christian  Science  move- 
ment,  both   in   spirituality   and   in   power. 

When  that  movement  shall  arise  no  one 
can  say  at  the  present  time;  but  there  is 
one  thing  we  should  remember  in  our  study 
of  this  great  subject;  and  it  is  this,  that 
whenever  a  group  of  people  unite  in  har- 
mony upon  a  certain  idea,  or  a  certain 
lofty  goal,  or  a  certain  sublime  principle, 

[60] 


^6e  (Bool}  feline  ot  CJci^tian  Science 


and  proceed  to  work  together  with  un- 
bounded devotion  for  the  reahzation  of 
that  principle,  the  power  contained  within 
that  principle  will,  sooner  or  later,  return 
the  favor  and  bring  those  people  the  very 
thing  they  want. 

We  must  remember  the  great  law  that 
whenever  we  find  an  ideal,  or  a  wonderful 
spiritual  light  containing  within  itself  re- 
markable powers  and  possibilities,  and 
when  we  devote  ourselves  absolutely  to 
that  light,  having  unlimited  faith  in  its 
power,  the  time  will  come,  and  come 
shortly,  when  the  truth  and  the  power 
of  that  light  will  begin  to  manifest  in  us; 
that  is,  the  truth  and  the  power  of  that 
light  will  begin  to  express  itself  in  all  our 
thought  and  action  and  enable  us  more 
and  more  to  demonstrate  the  law  accord- 
ing to  our  highest  ideals  and  our  most 
perfect  faith. 

There    are    a    great    many    things    that 
could  be  added  to  this  study,  but  we  are 

C6i] 


^\)t  dBooti  &itie  of  Cfiri^tian  fecfence 

interested  principally  in  the  fundamental  or 
inner  secret  of  results  everywhere.  If  any 
man  or  any  institution  is  gaining  ground 
we  wish  to  know  why;  but  we  do  not  want 
to  feel  that  we  have  to  adopt  the  system 
of  any  particular  individual  or  institution, 
or  do  what  he  is  doing  in  exactly  the 
same  mode  or  manner,  because  we  all 
are  individuals,  and  will  have  to  express 
our  individuality  more  and  more  if  we 
are  to  advance  in  the  scale  of  life.  But 
if  any  particular  individual  has  an  inner 
secret,  we  wish  to  learn  and  understand 
that  secret.  We  wish  to  understand  the 
reason  why  he  is  securing  results.  We 
wish  to  understand  the  psychological  side 
everywhere,  because  we  know  that  if  the 
psychological  side  is  studied  carefully  we 
shall  learn  exactly  how  these  higher  laws 
operate,  why  they  succeed  at  certain  times, 
or  through  certain  people,  and  why  they 
fail  at  other  times. 

We    know   there   are   many   things   that 

[62] 


%lit  (Soon  Mht  ot  CfirigJtian  Science 


will  have  to  be  considered  in  connection 
with  any  movement  or  principle  that  has 
achieved  wonderfully;  but  the  principal 
thing  involved  is  this,  that  unlimited  de- 
votion to  some  sublime  idea,  some  idea 
that  stands  for  something  remarkable,  an 
idea  that  has  a  vital  message,  or  an  idea 
that  contains  the  power  to  do  things  along 
new  and  wonderful  lines  —  unlimited  de- 
votion to  such  an  idea  will  invariably 
bring  wonderful  resuhs;  and  the  more 
perfectly  we  can  enter  into  the  meta- 
physical attitude  as  we  proceed,  thereby 
laying  hold  of  the  real  understanding  or 
principle  itself,  the  greater  will  be  the 
results  we  have  in  view. 

Herewith  we  might  inquire  more  thor- 
oughly into  the  nature  of  the  metaphysical 
attitude  with  a  view  of  learning  exactly 
why  results  invariably  increase  when  we 
proceed  through  that  attitude;  but  we 
appreciate  the  fact  that  this  would  in- 
volve a  very  large  study,  although  it  is  a 

[63] 


%\\t  (Booh  fe»itie  ot  C|)r(0tian  fecience 

study  that  we  must  by  no  means  ignore 
in  the  future.  The  majority  of  us,  how- 
ever, have  had  so  much  experience  along 
this  hne  that  we  can  see  at  once  the  inner 
meaning  of  that  phase  of  the  subject. 
And  here  we  may  well  repeat  that  any 
person,  or  any  system,  or  any  institution 
that  has  found  this  higher  or  inner  mean- 
ing, and  that  is  making  full  and  effective 
application  of  the  principle  involved,  must 
certainly   receive    our   highest    admiration. 

In  the  first  place,  we  cannot  help  giving 
our  admiration  to  any  individual  or  insti- 
tution that  is  demonstrating  the  law  in  a 
wonderful  manner;  and,  in  the  second 
place,  we  shall  find  it  most  profitable  to 
admire  and  respect  every  individual  or 
institution  that  is  demonstrating  in  this 
manner;  for  the  fact  is  that  whenever  we 
admire  or  appreciate  the  greater,  we  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  the  greater,  and  there- 
fore establish  in  our  own  lives  an  upward 
and  onward  tendency. 

[64] 


^it  (Booti  felde  ot  Cfiri^tian  ^titmt 

We  affirm  that  each  individual  should 
do  his  best  work  under  every  circum- 
stance, employing  what  method  he  may 
think  best;  and  we  do  demand  that  every 
individual  or  institution  do  the  very  best 
that  he  can  with  the  method  that  he  has 
adopted.  But  the  question  is,  if  there  are 
very  many  individuals  or  institutions  that 
are  really  doing  their  best  with  what  they 
have.  And  inasmuch  as  the  Christian 
Science  movement  is  certainly  doing  its 
very  best  with  the  principle  and  system  it 
has  adopted  as  its  own,  that  movement 
deserves  the  highest  admiration  that  can 
possibly  be  given  by  any  and  every  human 
soul.  True,  there  are  other  institutions 
that  are  just  as  devoted  to  their  ideals 
and  that  are  also  trying  to  make  full  and 
effective  application  of  the  principles  upon 
which  they  stand.  To  these  we  must  also 
give  our  highest  admiration,  because  they 
are  all  moving  in  the  same  direction,  to- 
ward the  same  great  goal,  approaching  the 

L6sl 


%it  (Booti  &itit  ot  Cliri^tian  Science 

same  great  Light.  And  while  we  are  mov- 
ing upward  and  onward  in  this  wonderful 
manner  we  want  to  realize  the  highest  and 
greatest  possibilities  along  our  own  lines 
of  action,  and  not  waste  energy  criticising 
other  individuals  or  institutions  that  may 
be  using  methods  slightly  different  from 
our  own. 

This  is  certainly  good  sound  doctrine, 
and  it  has  deep  psychological  significance. 
We  all  should  apply  it  therefore;  and 
above  all  we  should  remember  the  one 
great  principle  once  more,  that  whenever 
you  discover  any  system  of  truth,  or  any 
great  idea,  or  any  wonderful  power  — 
then  consecrate  yourself  absolutely  to  that 
idea  or  power,  devoting  yourself  to  the 
greatest  and  the  highest  that  you  can 
possibly  discern  in  the  life  of  that  idea 
or  power,  and  the  result  will  be  that  that 
power  will  return  the  favor  and  do  for 
you  what  you  expected,  or  according  to 
your    faith;     and    inasmuch    as    spiritual 

[66] 


^^t  CBooti  feitie  Dt  Cj)ri0t(an  fecitnce 

power  is  limitless,  there  is  nothing  that 
that  power  cannot  do.  If  we  fail  in  its 
use,  the  fault  is  ours;  we  have  not  devoted 
ourselves  absolutely  to  our  highest  under- 
standing of  spiritual  power.  We  may  have 
scattered  our  forces  or  worshiped  too 
many  lesser  gods.  Henceforth,  however, 
let  us  worship  the  highest  that  we  know, 
and  worship  absolutely  by  keeping  the 
eye  singly  upon  the  great  light  and  the 
one  great  power,  inspiring  our  worship 
with  a  passion  for  the  sublime  —  a  pas- 
sion so  strong  and  so  deep  that  it  stirs 
every  atom  of  the  soul.  The  results  will 
be  exactly  what  we  have  expected;  our 
prayers  will  be  answered;  our  ideals  will 
be  made  real;  and  everything  that  we 
have  wanted  or  desired  in  life  shall  come 
to  us  according  to  our  faith. 


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